A new review of German nutrition studies shows that many children and teenagers aren’t getting enough important vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, iodine, and vitamin D from their food. While vitamin supplements are popular, doctors say they only help when there’s a real deficiency and should only be taken after checking with a doctor. The research suggests that schools and daycare centers should focus more on serving healthy foods, and the government should keep track of what kids are eating to catch problems early.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children and teenagers in Germany are getting enough important vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) from their food, and whether supplements help fill the gaps
  • Who participated: This review looked at data from large German nutrition surveys that tracked what thousands of children and teenagers eat, including studies called KiESEL and EsKiMo II
  • Key finding: A significant number of German children and teenagers don’t get enough calcium, iron, iodine, and vitamin D from food alone, even though many families use vitamin supplements
  • What it means for you: If you have kids, focus on serving varied, balanced meals with foods rich in these nutrients. Supplements may help, but only if a doctor confirms your child has a deficiency—taking too many can actually be harmful

The Research Details

This is a review article that examines findings from large national nutrition surveys conducted in Germany. Researchers looked at data from studies that tracked what children and teenagers actually eat over time, comparing their intake to recommended daily amounts for different age groups. The review also examined current recommendations for when supplements are needed and what public health strategies might help improve nutrition.

The researchers used information from established German nutrition monitoring programs that regularly survey thousands of families about their eating habits. These surveys are designed to be representative of the entire German population of children and teenagers, making them reliable sources for understanding nutrition patterns across different age groups.

Understanding what kids actually eat versus what they should eat is important because poor nutrition during childhood and teenage years can affect growth, brain development, bone health, and immune function. By reviewing existing large surveys rather than doing a new study, researchers could quickly identify patterns and gaps in children’s diets across the whole country. This type of review helps guide public health decisions about where to focus nutrition improvement efforts.

This review is based on data from established, government-supported nutrition surveys that follow scientific standards. The surveys tracked large numbers of children across different ages and regions, making the findings representative of German children overall. However, the review doesn’t present new experimental data—it summarizes and interprets existing information. The strength comes from using multiple large surveys rather than relying on a single study.

What the Results Show

The review found that a substantial portion of German children and teenagers don’t consume enough of four key nutrients: calcium (important for bones and teeth), iron (needed for energy and healthy blood), iodine (essential for brain development and metabolism), and vitamin D (crucial for bone health and immune function).

Interestingly, while many families use vitamin and mineral supplements, the research shows these don’t necessarily solve the problem. In fact, taking supplements without a doctor’s recommendation can be risky because it’s possible to get too much of certain nutrients, which can cause health problems. The review emphasizes that supplements should only be used when a doctor has confirmed a real deficiency.

The research does support certain targeted supplement recommendations that doctors already make. For babies and young children, doctors regularly recommend specific supplements like vitamin D, vitamin K, and fluoride because these are difficult to get enough of from food alone at those ages.

The review highlights that some children with chronic illnesses or those following special diets (like vegetarian or vegan diets) may need additional supplements beyond what food provides. It also notes that the quality of food served in schools and daycare centers significantly affects children’s overall nutrition. The research suggests that improving meals in these settings could help many children get better nutrition without needing supplements.

This review aligns with similar findings from other countries showing that micronutrient deficiencies are common in children, even in wealthy nations with good food access. The German data is particularly valuable because it comes from well-designed national surveys that track eating patterns over time. The findings support international recommendations that emphasize food-based solutions over supplements whenever possible.

This review summarizes existing survey data rather than conducting new research, so it can only describe what children are eating—not explain why or test solutions. The surveys capture what families report eating, which may not be perfectly accurate. The review doesn’t provide information about whether the identified deficiencies are causing actual health problems in these children, only that their intake falls below recommended levels. Additionally, recommendations for supplements and public health measures are based on expert opinion rather than new experimental evidence.

The Bottom Line

Parents should focus on serving varied, balanced meals with foods naturally rich in calcium (dairy, leafy greens), iron (lean meats, beans, fortified cereals), iodine (seafood, dairy, iodized salt), and vitamin D (fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk). For babies and young children, follow your pediatrician’s recommendations for vitamin D, vitamin K, and fluoride supplements—these are standard preventive care. Only use other supplements if your child’s doctor confirms a deficiency. Schools and communities should prioritize serving nutritious meals in cafeterias and daycare centers. Confidence level: High for food-based approach; Moderate for supplement recommendations (depends on individual circumstances).

Parents and caregivers of infants, children, and teenagers should pay attention to these findings. Teachers and school administrators responsible for meal planning should care about this research. Pediatricians should use this to guide conversations with families about nutrition. Children with chronic diseases or special diets need individualized guidance from their doctors. This is less relevant for adults, though the principles of balanced nutrition apply to everyone.

Improving nutrition through better food choices typically shows benefits within weeks to months for energy levels and general health, but effects on bone health, growth, and development take months to years to become apparent. If supplements are needed for a deficiency, improvements may be noticeable within 4-8 weeks depending on the nutrient and severity of the deficiency.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of calcium-rich foods (target: 3-4 servings), iron-rich foods (target: 2-3 servings), iodine sources (target: 1-2 servings), and vitamin D sources (target: 1-2 servings). Use the app to log meals and see which nutrients are being met each day.
  • Set a weekly goal to try one new food rich in each of the four key nutrients. Use the app to plan meals that include at least one source of each nutrient daily. Create reminders for meal planning that emphasize variety and balance rather than supplements.
  • Monthly review of nutrient intake patterns to identify which nutrients are consistently low. Track energy levels, mood, and general health alongside nutrition data. If patterns show persistent deficiencies, use the app to prompt a conversation with a pediatrician about whether supplements might be needed.

This review summarizes research about nutrition patterns in children and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any supplements or medications for your child without consulting your pediatrician first. If you suspect your child has a nutritional deficiency, speak with your doctor who can perform appropriate testing and recommend personalized treatment. The findings described are based on German population data and may not apply to all children in all regions. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, activity level, and other factors that only a healthcare provider can assess.